Moving to Thailand

Thailand, with its rich culture, stunning temples, incredible weather and vivid nightlife, has long been one of the world’s most popular expat destinations. With the ancient temples of rural Thailand and the bright neon lights of the city, there is something for everyone in this corner of South East Asia. Thailand is known for being warm and welcoming – both towards expats and tourists, and in terms of the weather. With an average minimum temperature of 26°C and a summer high reaching the low 40’s, Thailand has always been popular with people looking for a break from colder climates.

Because of the shape of the country, it can be quite difficult visualising just how large Thailand is. In terms of total landmass, the country is actually just larger than Spain, with only 7750 sq. km in difference between the two. As you might expect from a country this size, there are a huge number of places you can live in Thailand, and each has its own unique appeal. Rural Thailand offers an extremely low cost of living with a high quality of life, though life in the Thai countryside often lacks the Western amenities that many expats are used to. On the other hand, the countryside offers the most exquisite views, some of the best authentic Thai food in the country and a chance to experience Thai culture away from the bustling city.

This being said, Bangkok still remains Thailand’s number one expat destination. A large part of this is the appeal of the city’s modern amenities, the massive expat population and the majority of the best-paying jobs in the country. While the cost of living is higher than the rest of the country, it is still much lower than you will find in European capitals such as London and Paris; USD 1000 per month would probably be a standard budget for a young, single, localised expat with a freelance or teaching job in the city. On top of this, the friendly, welcoming nature of this neon jungle with its vibrant nightlife has always held massive appeal for the intrepid expats of the world.

For those of you looking for city life somewhere quieter than the country’s vibrant (and admittedly congested) capital, Thailand’s seaside cities of Krabi and Phuket to the south offer a huge range of tourism-based jobs, a uniquely beautiful view and a laid back way of life. While these jobs often won’t pay the same as they do in the capital, the same can be said for almost any country around the world. Either way, when you’re presented with the sunset over the temple tops or the beach at the end of the day, work will be the last thing on your mind.

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